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  • Aging,  Life Challenges

    The Pilgrimage of Aging

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    man facing sunset with suitcase in his hand. HOw to say goodbye. pilgrimage

    “I can’t control what’s happening in the world.But I can put one foot in front of the other and walk my pilgrimage.” — Joanna Penn

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Spiritual practice as a path to inner peace

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    man stands at fork in a path in choosing a spiritual practice

    Reflections on the meanings of spiritual practice and how we find ourselves on any particular paths as we go through life.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Slow vs fast. What is the best pace for living?

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    a tortoise with a slow pace for living

    When it comes to the best pace for living, is it better to go slow or fast? A look at the benefits of each pace in living the…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    The Journey of Life from Womb to Grave

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    newborn on first journey of life

     We speak a lot about the journey of life, but do we ever think much about the process of travel from birth to death?  How do we get…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Aging,  Spiritual Growth

    How You Can Live A Fulfilled Life at Any Age

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    how to live a fulfilled life symbolized by an orange butterfly

        What does it mean to live a fulfilled life?    When asked what it means to live a fulfilled life, Dr. Joos Meyer, a medical doctor…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    Manifesto – TheReflectivePen – Part three, More goals

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    TheReflectivePen part three, more goals

    This is the third and final part of the Manifesto of TheReflectivePen - Goals numbered 6-11 with a summary of all eleven goals for writing this blog at…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    A Manifesto – TheReflectivePen – Part Two

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    manifesto of thereflectivepen part two goals

    Part two of a three-part Manifesto of TheReflectivePen is the first half of a list of goals that guide the writing on this blog.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    A Manifesto of TheReflectivePen Part One

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    a manifesto of thereflectivepen part one

            Genesis   The genesis of TheReflectivePen is a tale of collective failures and successful adventures in both writing and technology in a search for meaning and…

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    How Do You Return to Normal After a Huge Loss

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    Is it ever Possible to Return to Normal? What is normal when life has delivered a significant blow - divorce, death, pandemic, or job loss?

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Life Challenges,  Spiritual Growth

    Five Ways to Stay Calm Without Losing Patience

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    exhausted woman with head in her hands losing patience

    Five ways to not lose your patience - 1. Slow down...2. Breathe...3. Make waiting a spiritual practice...4. Smile...5. go for a walk

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Creativity

    HOW TO LET A WALK IN THE FOREST INSPIRE YOUR WRITING

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    City Forest stream

    Taking a walk through the forest is one of the best ways to inspire your writing, regardless of subject matter.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    ALL ABOUT DEKKER, THE SERVICE DOG

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    Dekker, service dog posing on granite slab

    Dekker, a NEADS-trained service dog "tells" about his training to become a world class dog who helps someone with a disability.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Spiritual Growth

    HOW TO ACCOMPLISH YOUR GOALS

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    A dachshund using willpower to carry a stick much bigger than he is

    Accomplishing goals is not only about to-do lists and calendars. Having the right mindset and slowing down are equally important.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Dekker

    DEKKER RESPONDS TO HOLIDAY BLUES

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    Dekker the service dog reads a book

    Dekker, the service dog who has advice for humans and other creatures, gives guidance to some issues that arise over the holidays.

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    Ardis Mayo
  • Caregiving,  Life Challenges

    ARE YOU IN DANGER OF CAREGIVER BURNOUT?

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    Caregiving is a tough and under recognized challenge in many homes and the danger of burning out as a caregiver looms over many familes.

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    Ardis Mayo
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Recent posts

  • Dekker, service dog posing on granite slabTHINGS I WISH SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME
    Dekker, Life Challenges
  • a cat with with a fear of missing out leaning out a window Ardis Mayo, the stories we tell ourselves too lateToo Late?
    Aging, Life Challenges
  • A black dog with a yellow cap, clumsy, not gracefulIf Not Grace, Then What?
    Aging
  • intruderLiving with an Intruder
    Life Challenges
  • aging and illness, aging gracefullyThe Myth of Aging Gracefully
    Aging, Life Challenges

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